Detroit's M-1 Rail receives $25 million in federal funding

These funds support construction of a planned 3.3-mile streetcar line to help revitalize Detroit's Woodward Avenue corridor. M-1 Rail, a coalition of private-sector philanthropic and business leaders, has committed more than $100 million toward construction and operation of the $137-million project. The remainder will be funded by state and local sources.

"I applaud Michigan's leaders for coming together to support a regional vision for public transportation that will improve access to jobs, education, medical care and other destinations for residents in the Detroit metro area," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The streetcar funding announcement comes just weeks after Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law critical legislation creating a Regional Transportation Authority to develop and more-efficiently operate public transportation projects in metropolitan Detroit and across the state.

The streetcar line is expected to include 11 stations, with connections to Campus Martius, Comerica Park, the Detroit Medical Center area and Wayne State University.